For Immediate Release 14 December 2006
Prison Christmas menu released
The Department of Corrections has released the 2006 Christmas menu.
National Catering Manager Russell Baker says Corrections budgets $4 per day to feed prisoners and the major difference
on Christmas day is that dinner is served at lunch time.
“Christmas can be a trying period for prisoners and their friends and family,” says Mr Baker. “Corrections is committed
to providing prisoners with a safe, secure and humane environment while ensuring the day is marked in an appropriate
way.
“The meals on Christmas day are almost identical to that served on any other day with the added extra of a Christmas
mince pie. The menu is standard across all 19 prisons. Lunch is a portion of chicken, a serving of vegetables and the
mince pie. Cold meat, salads and fruit will be dished up for dinner.
“Prisoners cook the food themselves and will prepare 22,000 meals during the day. While the meals are nutritious, they
are by no means lavish.”
Prisoners’ children may receive presents through the Angel Tree Programme. The programme operates at most New
Zealand prisons and is co-ordinated by the Prison Fellowship New Zealand, who organise the purchase and distribution of
gifts to the children of prisoners.
In some regions, the Prisoners’ Aid and Rehabilitation Society (PARS) may purchase gifts on prisoners’ behalf
for them to send to their friends and family.
Prisoners may attend a multi-denominational service led by the Prison Chaplain if they wish to do so.
Prisoners may receive approved gifts from friends and family, however all items are subject to normal security
processes to prevent contraband entering the prison.
Christmas Day menu
Breakfast:
Cereal, milk, toast, spread, yoghurt, coffee
Lunch
Chicken, potatoes, carrots and peas
2 x slices of buttered bread
1 Christmas mince pie
Vegetarian: Jacket potato with pumpkin filling
Dinner
Slices of beef and ham
Potato salad
Lettuce
½ tomato
½ hard boiled egg
2 x slices of buttered bread
Milk
Fruit
Vegetarian: ½ avocado – mushroom and rice filling
Ends